SCIENCE and technology students from Tavistock Community College were basking in success, as well as the sunshine, at Roadford Lake last Thursday for the 2009 finals of the South West Schools Marine Challenge.

It was the British Marine Federation who came up with the idea seven-years-ago of adapting the Formula Schools' car racing format to a water craft challenge.

The challenge is aimed at school teams within key stage 3 and 4 who link with technology-based companies to design, build and race remote-controlled boats in three environmentally-friendly fuel categories: solar power, methanol bio-fuel and electric.

The work to design and build their craft started last November, and culminated in the race day where teams were judged on design, build, performance and teamwork.

Against fierce competition, Tavistock Community College took second place in both the electric hull and superstructure class and the electric powertrain class, and were supported by Devon Association for Renewable Energy, Coast to Creek, RAF Mounts Bay and J Sander & Son.

Organiser Rob Austin said: 'The competition was very close again this year with some outstanding work in marine engineering. There was a good turnout from south west schools despite a difficult year for support, and everyone has really enjoyed themselves.'